Rivalries between soap stars often remain on-screen, but sometimes they spill into real life, leading to shocking incidents. One of the most dramatic occurred at the TV Choice Awards when Emmerdale actor Asan N'Jie threatened to stab and kill Hollyoaks star Jamie Lomas. Witnesses reported N'Jie yelling, 'I’m going to f**king kill you. I’m going to f**king knife you.' ITV subsequently terminated his contract, and his character Ellis Chapman was written out of the soap over six weeks.
N'Jie later issued a grovelling apology, stating his behaviour was 'completely unacceptable and very much out of character.' He expressed devastation and a determination to learn from the incident. ITV confirmed the termination, noting that rewriting storylines was necessary to remove his character without cancelling episodes.
Another infamous feud, dubbed 'Punchgate,' involved former Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas and ex-Emmerdale actress Roxanne Pallett during Celebrity Big Brother in 2018. Pallett falsely accused Thomas of punching her multiple times, leading to public outrage. Despite the allegations, Thomas won the series, while Pallett faced severe backlash and later apologised, admitting she was 'the most hated woman in Britain.'
These incidents highlight how off-screen tensions can escalate, sometimes with career-ending consequences. While soap stars often maintain camaraderie, these feuds serve as reminders of the pressures and conflicts that can arise behind the scenes.
